Oregon vs. Auburn, 8/29/19 Week 1 Predictions & Preview

The featured game of Saturday’s college football action has No. 11 Oregon taking on No. 16 Auburn from AT&T Stadium. Will it be a high-scoring battle at 7:30PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

207 Oregon vs. 208 Auburn

Saturday, August 31, 2019

7:30PM ET – AT&T Stadium

TV: ABC

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

According to the latest oddsmakers, Auburn is slightly favored in this game, as the Tigers are getting odds of -3.5 points against Oregon. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 55.5 points. The public betting currently has 53 percent going on Oregon as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Ducks hoping to break out

The Oregon Ducks are hoping to get the Pac-12 back into the national spotlight. Oregon is coming off a 9-4 record in 2018 with a 5-4 record in the Pac-12. Mario Cristobal is in his second season as head coach. The Ducks were 5-8 against the spread last season and 7-5-1 with the under.

Oregon had an offense that put up 34.8 points per game and 427.2 yards per contest last season. Justin Hebert threw for 3,151 yards and 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2018 and he is back to lead the offense while being one of the top NFL Draft prospects in the country. He has to find a new top target, but has 1,000-yard rusher CJ Verdell back in the backfield and all five starting offensive linemen back. Defensively, Oregon gave up 25.4 points and 385.9 yards per game last season. The Ducks have six starters back this year, including four in the front seven.

Auburn looking to bounce back

The Auburn Tigers had an 8-5 record in the 2018 season, but they were just 3-5 in the SEC last year. Auburn is entering its seventh season with Gus Malzahn as head coach. The Tigers were 6-7 against the spread last season while going 8-5 with the under.

Auburn was improved defensively last season giving up just 19.2 points and 355.4 yards per game. The defense has seven starters back this year, including all four in the secondary. Offensively, Auburn put up 30.9 points and 389.9 yards per game in 2018. They lose starting QB Jarrett Stidham and are handing over the offense to true freshman Bo Nix. Nix has some experienced receivers to work with and a veteran offensive line. He also has leading rusher JaTarvious Whitlowback to help him. Whitlow rushed for 787 yards and six touchdowns.

College Football Betting Trends

Oregon

The Ducks are 4-1-1 with the over in its last six against SEC opponents and 3-1-1 with the over in its last five games in August.

Auburn

The Tigers are 6-1-2 with the under in its last nine neutral site games and 15-5-2 with the under in its last 22 non-conference games.

Prediction:

These two last met in the national title game on Jan. 10 of 2011. It was a low-scoring game despite both teams have solid offenses. This time around, I think the defenses will stand out again. Auburn has a lot of athletes on defense, especially in the secondary. That should give Hebert some problems. The Oregon defense isn’t great, but I don’t expect a true freshman to light them up in his first college action on a big stage like that in Arlington. Look for the game to be competitive and on the lower-scoring side.